Waves swept tourists away. "The force of the water was so great"
5:47 PM EST, November 6, 2023
Last weekend, the beaches of the Canary Islands proved to be dangerously unpredictable. On Sunday, November 5th, the Spanish maritime rescue services were kept busy as they pulled as many as eight tourists from the harsh Atlantic waters, who had been swept away by strong waves.
It was reported consistently by the maritime services that the sudden deterioration in weather on the Spanish archipelago had been the cause of the accidents. This change resulted in waves with higher crests and stronger forces.
Narrow Escape from Tragedy
A regional newspaper detailed how the Canary Islands services were compelled to dispatch a helicopter multiple times over the ocean on that Sunday. Their mission was to retrieve beachgoers who had been swept away by the strong waves.
The most challenging mission for the maritime services took place on Sunday, November 5th, at the Punta de Galdar beach in Gran Canaria. Here, a tourist was swept far out into the ocean by powerful waves. Following the rescue operation conducted 62 miles offshore, the woman was safely brought back to land.
The rescued woman later admitted that she was swept away while attempting to take a photo. "I tried to hold onto the rocks, but the force of the water was so great that within a few seconds, I found myself far from the shore," admitted the 31-year-old during a conversation with "Canarias 7" newspaper. Following the rescue, the woman was hospitalized with symptoms of hypothermia.
The Dangerous Waves of the Atlantic Ocean
Similar incidents also occurred along the coastlines of Tenerife. A 23-year-old man, who had gone for a swim in the Atlantic, was caught off guard by colossal waves and was swept dozens of miles offshore. The other tourists who received assistance were all 27 or younger, with the exception of one woman over 60. The local Canary Islands authorities expressed to local media that all eight individuals are doing well health-wise.
Maritime officers believe these frequent incidents stem from a combination of tourists' low awareness of the sea's force and their recklessness and thoughtless behavior.
